Everyone says JavaScript has transformed web development, and that its libraries are obliterating long established programming languages. BUT, everyone also says that most websites still rely on PHP. Doesn’t really add up, does it?

PHP and similar languages have been around for years, so it’s fair to say that the majority of websites still rely heavily on them. But since JavaScript’s libraries have come into being, PHP’s popularity has started to decrease. StackOverflow’s 2015 AND 2016 surveys ranked 5 JavaScript libraries (Node.js, Angular, JavaScript as a whole, React and Mongo DB) in its list of the most trending programming languages.

Given the steep rise in popularity Javascript is enjoying, we decided to highlight some of the libraries that have orchestrated this rise.

1.Node.js

Node.js is the undisputed leader when it comes to performance in real-time web applications.

It employs the push technology over websockets which ensures swift, two-way communication in the real time apps.

Node.js achieves a scalability level of over 1 million concurrent connections.

It comes with the Node Package Manager which brings with it in-built support for Javascript modules such as Express.js, Jade, Connect, MongoDB , Redis and a few others.

It’s not just an amazing Javascript module; it’s also the parent to a number of other Javascript libraries such as Meteor.

Despite only existing for a few short years, Node.js ranks amongst the most popular and highest paid technologies in the world, speaking volumes about its capabilities.

2.Angular JS

Arguably the second most powerful of the Javascript libraries, Angular JS also rates very high in popularity among programmers.

Angular handles dependencies and gets rid of all the preparation required in other languages before writing a useful program.

Just like other Javascript utilities, Angular has great multi-tasking abilities that don’t affect the performance of the system.

With Angular, the developers get control over what they wish to do and how they want to do it – not something every programming language offers.

With Angular 2, Angular.js has only become better and more effective than before.

3.jQuery

A Javascript module with the added benefit of being visible even if Javascript is turned off on the browser.

This along with other cross-browser compatibility features makes it very easy to use, highly effective and hugely versatile.

jQuery code is clean, easy to learn and integrates quite well with a number of other web development programming languages outside of Javascript.

The JQuery plug-in support and the JQuery UI deserves accolades along with the helpful utilities that JQuery supports and offers.

4.React

Topped the chart in a recent Stack Overflow survey as the most loved and most wanted programming language, after just a couple of years in existence.

React helps create user interfaces and is in many ways the ‘view’ in Model View Controller.

The exponential rise of React highlights how much people value a finished product with restricted utility over an unfinished product.

React might not be your complete web development solution, but it does what it does in the best way possible.

5.MongoDB

Probably the most underrated Javascript library. MongoDB might not be the favourite but it sure is effective, especially when used in integration with the other Javascript libraries.

MongoDB combines amazingly well with NodeJS and more so with the Mean Stack quartet.

MongoDB offers a higher data insert rate than its close rival SQL, and is the preferred option in cases of big data in unreliable and volatile environments.